Kelso High Campus’ fairytale run in the Alan Davidson Shield came in an end on Tuesday, after it lost to Figtree High School by 10 wickets.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kelso was all bowled out for 112, with Figtree cruising to the 0-113 total in next to no time.
It was a case of the team from the South Coast taking its chances, according to Kelso cricket coach David Amaral.
“We got beaten by a better team and they did the small things right,” he said.
“They turned ones into twos and twos into three.
“Even though we got spanked, I’m proud of the boys.
“The boys are upbeat and positive. We’ve made the top four of the comprehensive schools and top eight, if you include the sports high schools.
Jay Webber (13 runs) and Deua Berry (a duck) both opened for Kelso batting order, before they were both bowled out by impressive Figtree bowlers Matt Calder (5-23 off eight) and Tane Horsley (3-22 off 6.3).
Henry Allen (69 runs) and Brody Field (13 runs) were the only other batsmen to score over double digits.
Allen’s figures were impressive, considering he was rated at 50-50 to play.
Captain Mark Day finished with a duck, after he was given out by leg before wicket from a Calder ball
Jack Macleod and Blake Armstrong also finished with ducks.
Cole Mutton (2 runs), Michael Latu (4 runs), Brendan Pallier (2 runs) and Ben Sennett (1 run) also featured with the bat.
Not a single Kelso bowler managed to take a wicket or claim a maiden.
Jye Phillips top scored with the bat, for Figtree, scoring 55 runs (not out).
Figtree’s win sets up a grand final with Epping Boys High School, which is expected to be played in Bathurst on April 4.
Kelso’s defeat ends an amazing run of victories over Bathurst High Campus, Blayney High School, Mudgee High School, Dubbo College (Combined High Schools Western Zone final) and Albury High School (Alan Davidson Shield quarter-final).
The last time Kelso reached the semi-finals in the Alan Davidson Shield was in 1990, when the then Kelso High School defeated a Oak Flats’ High School that featured former Australian all-rounder Shane Lee in their squad.
Kelso’s win over Oak Flats’ saw the team defeat the defending shield champions from 1989 and set up a date with Orana High School in Campbelltown.
Orana won the game, with three runs required in the final over of play.
Tim Payne, who captained Kelso in 1990, wrote to the current captain and vice-captain Mark Day and Connor Slattery, to offer his congratulations to the team’s achievements.
